Hydraulic turbine



Original Filed 'Jan. 24, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 35 11v VENTOR uay:19.81446.

BMQLW 39 ATTORNEYS July 5, 1932- s. A. BIGGS HYDRAULIC TURBINE OriginalFiled Jan. 24, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 6

IN VENTOR yfaz i ,4. 5199;.

- ATTORNEU Patented July 5, 1932 near GEORGE .A. BIGGS, OF SPRINGFIELD,OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE JAMES LEFFEL & COM- FANY, OF SPRING-FIELD; OHIO,A. CORPORATION OF OHIO HYDRAULIC TURBINE Original application filedJanuary 24, 1929, Serial No.

1929. Serial My invention relates to hydraulic turbines and is adivision of my application Serial No. 334,800, filed January 2&, 1929.he present application is directed to a hydraulic turbine, whileapplication Ser. No. 33 L800 is directed to the blades that form part ofthe runner.

It is the object of my invention to provide a hydraulic turbine that-canbe adapted to high or medium specific speed characteristics by selectingsuitable runner vane angles.

It is a further object to provide a turbine of less weight for a givenamount of power or head without sacrifice of strength.

Itis my object to provide a. turbine in which the fluid flows in asubstantially axial direction.

It is my object to provide a turbine which can be adapted to high speedconditions in which the space between the runner vanes and the gates isdecreased.

It is a further object to provide a turbine which can be adapted to highspecificspeeds in which the fluid discharges from the gates and entersthe runner vanes without making any appreciable change in direction offlow in the bladeless space between said gates and said runner vanes.

It is a further object to provide a turbine in which the axes of thegates, the axes of the link pins in the gates and the axes of the linkpins in the gate operated ring intersect the axis of the turbine at thesame point regardless of the degree of gate opening.

It is my object to provide a turbine having wicket gates and high speedcharacteristics which can be adapted to a flume of smaller dimensionsthan for a turbine in which the fluid passes between the gates in asubstantially radial direction.

It is the object of my invention to provide a turbine of high specificspeed characteristics having wicket type of gates inwhich the fluidflows with less change in direction than in a turbine in which the fluidflowing between the gates is in a substantially radial direction.

It is an object to provide a turbine of high specific speedcharacteristics having wicket gates in which the fluid is directed tothe cen- 334,800. Divided and this application filed July 22, No.379,901.

tral part of the runner more effectively, particularly at partialgate'openings.

It is an object to provide a turbine having wicket gates in which thefluid is notafle'cted by centrifugal force while it is entering theturbine as in the case where the fluid flows between the gates havingaxes parallel with the axes of the turbine.

It is an object to provide a turbine in which the axes of the gates areinclined at an angle to the axis of the turbine.

It is a further object to eliminate the use of turbines of high speedcharacteristics in which the fluid turns at an angle at substantiallyninety degrees in a bla'deless space between the axes of the gates andthe entrance to the runner vanes and to provide instead a true axialflow turbinewhere the flow is axial before it enters the gates.

It is a further object to eliminate the necessity for using turbines ofhigh speed characteristics in which the fluid flows between the gates ina substantially radial direction.

It is an additional object to eliminate turbines of high speedcharacteristics in which the axes of the gates are parallel with theaxis of the turbine because in such turbines it is necessary to firstgate the water and then to providemeans ofconverting the direction ofthe water, whereas, by my invention, I eliminate any change of directionof the water after it has been gate-d.

It is a further object to provide a hub, a runner curvature and drafttube design so as to provide for Venturi action in order that the runnerspeed may be greater than the water speed.

It is a further object to provide a runner bucket of such character thatwhen a section is taken on a straight line through the bucket at anangle to a radial line from the runner axis the bucket will be convex ontop and concave on the bottom and, when the same bucket is cut by acylindrical plane, the axis of which is parallel to but not coincidentwith the runner axis, the section will be concave on top and convex onthe bottom.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through the turbine on the line 1-1 ofFigure 4;

Figure 2 is asection on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a plan View of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the completed runner;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the completed runner;

Figure 7 is a section on the line 77 of Figure 6 being a section takenon a fiat plane at an angle to a line radial from the center of therunner.

Figure 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Figure 6; being a section onthe curved plane described about an axis which is parallel to but notcoincident with the runner axis; and

Figure 9 shows a section on the line 9-9 of Figure 6, concentric andcoincident with the runner axis;

Figure 10 is a runner in elevation without a shroud.

Figure 11 is a section on the bucket axis on the line ffttfl4z.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 is a runner shaft to which isconnected by bolts 2 a downwardly tapering hub 3 which terminates in apoint 4;. This hub when viewed on a vertical section is concave at 5.The concavity reverses and becomes convexity at the top of the hub as at6 Where it is streamlined to conform to the convex surface 7 of theinner gate ring 8. This inner gate ring is slightly spaced by the space9 on its lower face from the upper face of the hub. The inner gate ringsupports the bearing collar 9 which carries the adjustable bearing blockcages 10 which in turn support the bearing )locks 11. These blocks andtheir cages are adjusted by the screws 12 which are carried in thebearing housing 9*. Shoulders 13 on the lower horizontal wall of thebearing housing engage corresponding inner shoulders of the inner gatering as at 14 so that the thrust will be taken in that direction.

The outer gate ring 15, which has the arcuate streamlined face 16,terminates in an inwardly-disposed annular shoulder 17 which enters agroove 18 and rests upon the face 19 of the foundation ring 20. Thisfoundation ring 20 supports the outer ends of the gate rods 21 on whichare mounted pivotally the gates 22, the inner ends of such rods beingmounted in fixed position in the inner gate ring 8. These gates arerotated on the rods 21 by the crank arms 22a which are pivotallyconnected at 23 to one margin of each of the gates at one end and at theother end are pivotally mounted on the stub shaft 24: which is disposedhorizontally in the sleeve 25 that serves as a supporting sleeveprojected radially inwardly from the outer gate ring 15.

The rotation of the ring 15 may be effected in any desired means by thecustomary governor or otherwise or the ring may be set for a givenangularity of the gates 22 when the turbine is initially adjusted foroperation under the predetermined head of water.

The outer ends of the gates as at 26 are rounded to conform to a curveindicated by the line 9 which is an arc of a circle whose center lies inthe axis of the turbine as indicated at 27. The runner axis isdesignated as the line 28--28. The inner gate ring surface 7 and theinner ends of the gates as at 29 are also curved, their curvature beingdescribed on an arc whose center is at 27.

Thus, by this arrangement it does not matter in what direction the gatesare rotated, the ends of the gates will always be equidistant from thesurface of the foundation ring 20- or of the inner gate ring 8.

It will also be noted that the axes of the shafts 24 and of the gatepins 21 and of the pivot pins 23, all intersect the same point 27 in theaxis of the turbine. This is true no matter whether the gate ring ismoved in either direction. By making the axis of the gate bolt 21intersect at this same point it does not matter to what position thegates are turned on the gate bolts 21 as the axes of the pins 23 alwaysintersect at the same point in the axis of the turbine. By having thesethree axes intersect at the same point 27 in the axis of the turbine, Ican then use the link 2211 which will work freely in any position of thegate opening without any tendcncy to bind.

The reason for having the gate bolts 21 inclined to the axis of theturbine with the inner end of the bolts at a higher elevation than theouter ends is that it provides a more substantial support for the innergate ring 8 which is subject to forces acting downwardly due to thepressure of the fluid on the gates and against the ring 8 itself. Thisdownward force has a tendency to set up a compression stress in thebolts 21 thereby transmitting the stresses to the foundation ring 20.

The foundation ring 20 is provided with a recessed shoulder portion 30for receiving the shroud 31 of the runner buckets 32 so that the insidedownwardly and outwardly disposed surface of this shroud will be flushwith the surface of the foundation ring 20 which is curved at 34 aboutthe axis 27 ans reverses its curvature at 35 to conform to the curvature33 of the shroud 31 in order to permit an expanded area in the drafttube as indicated by the draft tube face 36. This draft tube face 36 hasthe inner face of the draft tube 37 which is suspended on the annularplate 38 that supports the foundation ring base 39 and in turn restsupon the concrete foundation 40. This draft tube 37 is cut away at 4:1to receive the lower portion of the shroud 31 carried on the runnerbuckets. The leading edge of each bucket extends from the hub laterallyand downwardly at an angle to the axis of the runner shaft, and thedischarge or trailing edge proceeds laterally and downwardly from thehub at an angle to the axis of the hub but its angularity to said axisis more than the angularity of the leading edge.

It will be noted that the inner gate ring and the foundation ring form athroat of a Venturi structure, the lower walls of which are formed in anexpanding chamber by the runner hub surfaces, the inner surface of theshroud ring and the draft tube inner surface 36 so that the water mayhave a larger area for its departure, thus setting up a suction actionpermitting high speed of the runner as compared with water speed.

Referring to the runners specifically, 42 designates the runner leadingedge. The line of uncture as at 43 of the runner bucket with the hub isconvex on top. A non meridian section taken on the line 7 7' of Figure 6on a plane at an angle to a radial line, such as 44, Figure 4 directedfrom the runner axis 28 will 'show an upper convex surface designated45. The line 7-7 isa section line or a line in which a plane intersectsthe runner bucket at an angle to either a radial line or radial plane,such as the line 44. This section will be convex on top at any anglefrom 96 degrees to approximately thirty degrees between the line 77 andthe line 4444. Beyond thirty degrees the convexity begins to flatten outuntil it is scarcely visible, approximating zero as the line 77 morenearly approaches coinciding with the line 4444. The line 4444 issubstantially straight throughout the greater part of the length of thebucket.

An arcuate section taken on the surface of a cylinder whose axis isparallel to the axis 28 but not coincident with it as on the line 8-8will be concave on top of the runner bucket as at 46. Thus, we havereverse curvature of these buckets.

It will be understood that the buckets overlap and form cellstherebetween as shown in Figures 2 and 3 which are sections on the line2 2 and 33 of Figure 1 and indicate the overlapping of the runnerbuckets for the purpose of forming such cells.

It will be understood that the use of the shroud 31 is optional. In theevent that it is not used the draft tube is streamlined to take theplace of the shroud. If the shroud is used it may vary in form anddimensions.

It should be noted that the gates 22 are tapered in. section. The outerends are broad and the inner ends are narrow. This results in lessweight being necessary in the gate structure. 7

It has .been customary to extend the top plate of the gate casingoutward to a point approximating the outer edge of the plate 38 so as tosupport the upper ends of the gates but, by my structure, I eliminatethis and thereby do away with one of the heaviest parts of the hydraulicturbine construction.

It will be noted that the direction of flow of the liquid issubstantially axial as indicated by the line 47-47. There are no rightangle bends or other redial changes in the direction of flow. In orderto obtain high efficiency in a turbine, it is always desirable to havethe flow lines smooth and without abruptbends. This has beenaccomplished to a high degree in my present invention as will beobserved from an examination of the flow lines 4. 47, the are q and thelines 48 and 49. The distance a between the leading edge 32a and thetrailing edge 82?) is a lesser distance than the distance 6 as shown inFigure 2 between the same edges adjacent the hub. The line 49-49indicates a typical radial line, while the line 44-44 indicates thebucket axis shown in Figure 11.

My turbine permits of a variety of specific speeds, either high, mediumor low, without the necessity of changing the gates or other supportingand operating members. To design my turbine for a particular specificspeed, the only considerations are the matters of selecting the properinlet and discharge angles of the runner buckets which can be done in avery satisfactory manner without departing materially from the generaloutlines of the runner.

One of the principal objections to turbines of high specific speed isthe large space between the discharge edges of the gates and the inletedges of the runner buckets. In some of the most etlicient designs inthe present state of the art, it is necessary for the fluid to make aturn of 90 degrees in this vaneless space. In my invention, it will benoted that the space between the discharge edge of the gates and theinlet edge of the runner vanes is reduced to such an extent that thespace is very narrow so that the fluid in passing from the gates to therunner has substantially no change in direction. Thus, the fluid isactually directed by means of the gates substantially directly into therunner. The conditions prevailing in the art heretofore of requiring thefluid to flow a long distance after it leaves the gates and enters therunner are eliminated, thus eliminating water which necessarily is in anunguided state and, therefore, more or less turbulent it enters therunner. In my invention, the water enters directly from above into therunner whereas heretofore in the art the water entered from sides orradially.

Consequently, more room in previous constructions had to be providedbetween the sides of the turbine and the flume in which the turbine isinstalled in order to permit the water to enter the wheel freely. Thus,I am enabled to construct a flume smaller in s ze and at a lower cost.

In turbines where the fluid enters the turbine gates in a direction moreor less radially to the axis of the runner, there is a distinct resultof the fluid crowding away from the axis in a centrifugal manner.

At reduced stages of gate opening, this is very undesirable because themajor portion of the fluid passes through the outer part of the runnerand leaves the central part with reduced or ineffective pressure. Thisis due largely to the reason that the discharge ends of the gates are sofar away from the inlet edges of the runner vanes in the center portionof the runner that the gates do not func tion satisfactorily indirecting the fluid to the central portion. 1

' In my invention, it will be noted that this diflicnlty is eliminatedin that the inner end of the gate and the inner or central portion ofthe runner are closely adjacent so that the fluid is actually directedinto the central por tion of the runner by the gates themselves.

This will be seen by comparing the areas in the gates and the runnerbetween the lines 22 and 33 in Figure 1.

I-Ieretofore, the fluid flows around in a somewhat spiral direction,which permits of the fluid being affected by centrifugal force. By theconstruction of my invention, the fluid is directed into the turbinefrom above in a straight line and is practically free from a spiralmovement around the axis of the turbine thereby eliminating the tendencyof the fluid to be thrown outwardly to the outer portion of the runnerby centrifugal force. This tendency is greatly reduced, if not entirelyeliminated. Thus, I secure higher efficiency at reduced stages of gateopening.

The turbine as covered by this description can be built as either a highor low specific speed type. By high specific speed I mean a high numberof turns of the turbine runner and shaft in a given period of time forthe amount of power developed. A convenient way of expressing thismathematically is according to the result obtained by applying theformula in which H. P. is the horse power developed. It. P. M. is thenumber of turns expressed in revolutions per minute, and II is the headof Water measured in feet acting on the turbine to develop the aforesaidpower and speed, raised to the 1 power of the number.

If the result of applying this formula to the H. P., speed and head onthe turbine is 120 or more, then the turbine is what I designate asbeing of high specific speed. The different specific speeds are obtainedby making the inclination of the inlet and discharge edges of the runnervanes the proper angle in relation to the axis of the turbine.

In high specific speed designs these angles are flatter in relation to aplane at right angles to the axis of the turbine than in low speeddesigns. The degree of angularity at the inlet and outlet of the vanescan be established to suit the R. P. M. and H. P. desired in accordancewith prevailing practice.

It will be understood that I desire to comprehend within my inventionsuch modifica tions as may be necessary to adapt it to varyingconditions and uses.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a hydraulic turbine, a runner hub and a plurality of buckets ofsuch curvature that a section through any bucket on a plane at an anglefrom 90 degrees to 30 degrees to a radial line from the runner axis willbe convex on top and a section on the surface of the cylinder whose axisis parallel to the runner axis will be concave on top of the runner, andgate means the longitudinal axis of which is substantially parallel tothe longitudinal axis of the runner buckets.

2. In a hydraulic turbine, a runner hub and a plurality of buckets ofsuch curvature that a section through any bucket on a plane at an anglefrom 90 degrees to 30 degrees to a radial line from the runner axis willbe convex on top and a section on the surface of the cylinder whose axisis parallel to the runner axis will be concave on top of the runner, thebottom of said runner on such sections being concave on the bottom inthe first instance and convex on the bottom in the second instance. andgate means the longitudinal axis of which is substantially parallel tothe longitudinal axis of the runner buckets.

3. In a hydraulic turbine. a runner having a hub, a plurality ofoverlapping buckets, such buckets being of a curvature that a sectionthrough any bucket on a straight line at an angle from 90 degrees to 30degrees to a radial line from the runner axis will be convex on top andconcave on the bottom of the bucket and a section on the surface of acylinder whose axis is parallel with the runner axis will be concave ontop of the bucket and convex on the bottom. and gate means thelongitudinal axis of which is substantially parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the runner buckets.

4. In a hydraulic turbine, a tapered hub of a runner, a plurality ofradially-disposed buckets having their major axes curved downwardly andoutwardly, the transverse curvature and longitudinal curvature of thebuckets being otherwise expressed than when a section through any bucketon a straight line at an angle from 90 degrees to 30 degrees to a radiusfrom the runner axis is taken the section will be convex on top andconcave on the bottom and when a section is taken on the surface of acylinder whose axis is parallel to the runner axis the section will beconcave on top and convex on the bottom, and gate means the longitudinalaxis of which is substantially paralled to the longitudinal axis of therunner buckets.

5. In a hydraulic turbine, a runner having a hub and a plurality ofbuckets,such buckets being of such curvature that sections on straightlines disposed at an angle to the runner and substantially parallel'tothe line of water flow over the buckets will always he convex on top andconcave on bottom, and gate means the longitudinal axis of whichissubstantially pa allel to the longi tudinal axis of the runner buckets.V

6. In a hydraulic turbine, a runner having a hub and a plurality ofbuckets, such buckets being of suchcurvature that sections on straightlines disposed an angle to the runner axis and substantially parallel tothe line of water flow over the buckets will always he convex on top andconcave on bot tom, the section taken nearer the hub indicating bucketsof greater angularity than the section adjacentthe periphery of thebuckets, the an gularity of said buckets with respect to one anotherfrom the hub to the periphery being progressively less, and gate meansthe longitudinal axis ofwhich is substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axisv of the runner buckets.

7. Ina hydraulic turbine, a runner having a huband a plurality ofbuckets, such buckets being of such curvature that sections on straightlines disposed at an angle to the runner axis and substantially parallelto the line of water flow over the buckets will always he convex on topand concave on the bottom, the section taken nearer the hubinindi-cating buckets of greater angularity than the section adjacentthe periphery of the buckets and ate means the lon itudinal i i 7 b. t;

axis of which is sul stantially parallel'to the longit H 'nal of therunner buckets.

8. in. a hydraulic turbine, a runner having a hub and a plurality ofbucket-s, such buckets being or" such curvature that sections onstraight lines disposed at an angle to the run ner axis andsubstantially parallel to the line of water flow over the buckets willalways be convexon top and concave on the bottom, the section takennearer the hub indicating buckets of greater angularity than the sectionadjacent the periphery of the buckets, the

angularityflof said buckets with respect to one another from the hubto-the periphery being progressively less and'the space between theleadingedges of the trailing edges being greater between the leadingedges adjacent the hulnand gate means the longitudinal axis of whichissubstantially parallel to the longitudinal of the runner buckets.

9. In a runner, a tapered hub, a plurality of overlapping buckets whoselongitudinal axes are curved downwardly and outwardly, said bucketshaving water cells there-between and of such curvature that sectionsthrough any bucket on lines at an angle to of overlapping'buckets whoselongitudinal axes are curved downwardly and outwardly, said bucketshaving water cells therebetween and of such curvature that sectionsthrough any bucket on lines at an angle to the runner axes parallel tothe line of flow will always be convex on'top and concave on the bottomwhile a section on a straight line an angle from 90 degrees to 30degrees toa radial line from the runner axes will likewise be convex ontop and concave on the bottom, and a section on the surface of acylinder whose axis is parallel to but removed from the'runn er axiswillbe concave on top and convex on the bottom, and gate means thelongitudinal axis of which is substantially parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the runner buckets.

11. In a runner, a tapered hub, a plurality of radially disposedbuckets, the line of juncture of which with said hub is convex on thetop and concave on the bottom and the longitudinal axis of which isslightly curved downwardly and outwardly, and gate means thelongitudinal axis of which is substantially parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the runner buckets. i

12. In a runner, a tapered hub, a plurality of radially disposedbuckets, the line or juncture of which with said hub is convex on thetop and concave on the bottom and the longitudinal axis of which isslightly curved downwardly and outwardly, such buckets being of suchcurvature that a section on a plane at an angle from 90 degrees to 30degrees to a radial line from the runner axis will be convex on top andconcave on the bottom and a section on the surface of cylinder whoseaxis is parallel to but removed from the runner axis Will be concaveontop and convex on the bottom, and gate means the longitudinal axisofwhich is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the runnerbuckets. v l

18. Ina turbinerunner, a tapered hub and a plurality of runner buckets,the line of juncture of such buckets with the hub being convex on thetop and concave on the bottom and the buckets being of suclrcurvaturethat convex on the bottom, and gate means the longitudinal axis of whichis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the runand thebuckets being of such curvature that a plane at an angle from 90 degreesto degrees to the radial line from the runner axis will cut a sectionthat is convex on top of the bucket and concave on the bottom andasection on a cylindricalsurface, the center of Which is parallel to butremoved from the runner axis will be concave on top and convex on thebottom, such buckets being arranged to at least partially overlap toform water cells therebetvveen, and gate means the longitudinal axis ofwhich is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the runnerbuckets.

15. In a hydraulic turbine runner, a hub and a plurality of radiallydisposed buckets of such curvature that a section on a plane at an anglefrom 90 degrees to 30 degrees to a radial line from the runner axis willbe convex on top and concave on the bottom, a section on a cylindricalsurface described about an axis parallel to but removed from the runneraxis will be concave on top and convex on the bottom, and a section on acylindrical surface, the center of which is both parallel and coincidentwith the runner axis will be a straight line on both the top and bottomof the runner bucket, and gate means the longitudinal axis of which issub stantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the runner buckets.

16. In a hydraulic turbine, a runner having a hub and a plurality ofbuckets, said buckets being of such curvature that a section on astraight line at an angle from 90 degrees to 30 degrees to a radial linefrom the runner axis will be convex on top and concave on the bottom anda section on a cylindrical surface whose axis of description coincides Vwith and is parallel to the runner axis will be (iii a straight line onthe top and bottom of the bucket, and gate means the longitudinal axisof which is substantially parallel to the longi tudinal axis of therunner buckets.

17. In a runner of a hydraulic turbine, the combination of a hub and aplurality of buckets, such buckets being of such a curvature that asection on a cylindrical surface whose axis is parallel but removed fromthe runner axis will be concave on top and convex on the bottom while asection on a cylindrical surface whose axis is both coincident with andparallel to the runner axis will be a straight line on the top andbottom, and gate means the longitudinal axis of which is substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the runner buckets.

18. In a hydraulic turbine, a runner hub and a plurality of buckets ofsuch curvature that a section on a plane at an angle from 90 degrees to30 degrees to a radial line from the runner axis will be convex on topand a section on the surface of the cylinder whose axis is parallel tobut removed from the runner axis will be concave on top of the runner,and gate means the longitudinal axis of which is substantially parallelto the longithe runner axis will be convex on top and a section on thesurface of the cylinder whose axis is parallel to but removed from therun ner axis will be concave on top of the runner, the bottom of saidrunner on such sections being concave on the bottom in the firstinstance and convex on the bottom in the second instance, and gate meansthe longitudinal axis of which is substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the runner buckets,

the outlet edge of said gates being closely adjacent to andsubstantially parallel with the inlet edges of the runner buckets.

20. In a hydraulic turbine, a runner hav ing a hub, a plurality ofoverlapping buckets, such buckets being of a curvature that a section ona straight line at an angle from 90 degrees to 30 degrees to a radialline from the runner axis will be convex on top and concave on thebottom of the bucket and a section on the surface of a cylinder whoseaxis is parallel with the runner axis will be concave on top of thebucket and convex on the bottom, and gate means the longitudinal axis ofwhich is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the runnerbuckets, the outlet edge of said gates being closely adjacent to andsubstantially parallel With the inlet edges of the runner buckets.

21. In a hydraulic turbine, a tapered hub of a runner, a plurality ofradially-disposed buckets having their major axes curved downwardly andoutwardly, the transverse curvature and longitudinal curvature of thebuckets being otherwise expressed than when a section on a straight lineat an angle from 90 degrees to 30 degrees to a radius from the runneraxis is taken the section will be convex on top and concave on thebottom and when a section is taken on the surface of a cylinder Whoseaxis is parallel to the runner axis the section will be concave on topand convex on the bottom, and gate means the longitudinal axis of whichis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the runnerbuckets, the outlet edge of said gates being closely adjacent to andsubstantially parallel with the inlet edges of the runner ing edgesbeinggreater between theleading buckets.

22. In a hydraulic turbine, a runner having a hub and a plurality ofbuckets, such buckets being of such curvature that sections on straightlines disposed at an angle from 90 degrees to 30 degrees to the runneraxis and substantially parallel to the line of water flow over thebuckets will convex on top and concave on thebottom,

and gate means the longitudinal axis of which is substantially parallelto the longitudinal axis of the runner buckets, the outlet edge of saidgates being closely adjacent to and substantially parallel with theinlet edges of the runner buckets.

23. In a hydraulic turbine, a runner having a hub and a plurality ofbuckets, such buckets being of such curvature that sections on straightlines disposed at an angle to the runner axis and substantially parallelto the line of water flow over the buckets will always he convex on topand concave on bottom the section taken nearer the hub indicatingbuckets of greater angularity than the section adjacent the periphery ofthe buckets, the angularity of said buckets with respect to one anotherfrom the hub to the periphery being progressively less, and gate meansthe longitudinal axis of which is sub stantially parallel to thelongitudinal-axis of the runner buckets, the outlet edge of said gatesbeing closely adjacent to and substantially parallel with the inletedges of the runner buckets.

24. In a hydraulic turbine, a runner having a hub and a plurality ofbuckets, such buckets being of such curvature that sections on straightlines disposed at an angle to the runner axis and substantially parallelto the line of water flow over the buckets will always be convex on topand concave on the bottom, the section taken nearer the hub indicatingbuckets of greater angularity than the section adjacent the periphery ofthe buckets, and gate means the longitudinal axis of which issubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the runner buckets,the outlet edge of said gates being closely adjacent to andsubstantially parallel with the inlet edges of the runner buckets.

25. In a hydraulic turbine, a runner having a hub and a plurality ofbuckets, such buckets being of such curvature that sections on straightlines disposed at an angle to the runner axis and substantially parallelto the line of water flow over the buckets will always he convex on topand concave on the bottom, the section taken nearer the hub in dicat-ingbuckets of reater angularity than the section adjacent the periphery ofthe buckets, the angularity of said buckets with respect to one anotherfrom the hub to the periphery being progressively less and the spacebetween thelcading edges of the trailedges adjacent the hub, and gatemeans the longitudinal axis of which is substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the ru ner buckets, the out-let edge of said gatesbe ing closely adjacent to and substantially parallel with the inletedges of the runner buckets.

26. In a runner, a tapered hub, a plurality of overlapping buckets whoselongitudinal axes are curved downwardly and outwardly, said bucketshavin water cells therebetween and of such curvature that sections onlines at an angle to the runner axes parallel to the line of flow willalways be convex on top and concave on the bottom while a section on astraight line at an angle from 90 degrees to degrees to a radial linefrom the runner axes will likewise be convex on top and concave on thebottom. and gates means the longitudinal axis of which is substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axes of the ruin ner buckets, the outletedge of said gates being closely adjacent to and subsantially parallelwith the inlet edges of th runner buckets.

27. In a runner, a tapered hub, a plurality of overlapping buckets whoselongitudinal axes are curved downwardly and outwardly. said bucketshaving water cells thereb-etween and of such curvature that sections onlines at an angle to the runner axes parallel to the line of flow willalways be convex on topand concave on the bottom while a section on astraight line at an angle from degrees to 30 degrees to a radial linefrom the runner axes will likewise be convex on top and concave on thebottom, and a section on the surface of cylinder whose axis is parallelto the runner axis will be concave on top and convex on the bottom, andgate means the longitudinal axis of which is substantially parallel tothe longitudinal axis of the runner buckets, the outlet edge of said tesbe in g closely adjacent to and substantially parallel with the inletedges of the runner buckets.

28. In runner, a tapered hub, a plurality of radially disposed buckets,the line of juncture of which with said hub is convex on the top andconcave on the bottom and the longitudinal axis of which is slightlycurved downwardly and outwardly, and gate means the longitudinal axis ofwhich is substant ally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the runnerbuckets, the outlet edge of said gates be ing closely adjacent to andsubstantially allel with the inlet edges of the rui buckets. V

29. In a runner, a tapered hub, a plurality of radially disposedbuckets, the line of juncture of which with said hub is convex on thetop and concave on the bottom and the longitudinal axis of which isslightly curved downwardly and outwardly, such buckets being of suchcurvature that a section on a plane at an angle from 90 degreees to 30degrees to a radial line from the runner axis will be convex on top andconcave on the bottom and a section on the surface of a cylinder whoseaxis is parallel to the runner axis will be concave on top and convex onthe bottom. and gate means the longitudinal axis of which issubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the runner buckets,the outlet edge of said gates being closely adjacent to andsubstantially parallel with the inlet edges of the runner buckets,

30. In a turbine runner, a tapered hub and a plurality. of runnerbuckets, the line of juncture of such buckets with the hub being convexon top and concave on the bottom and the buckets being of such curvaturethat a plane at an angle from 90 degrees to 30 degrees to the radialline from the runner axis will out a section that is convex on top ofthe bucket and concave on the bottom and a section on a cylindricalsurface, the center of which is parallel to the runner axis will beconcave on top and convex on the bottom, and gate means the longitudinalaxis of which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of therunner buckets, the outlet edge of said gates being closely adjacent toand substantially parallel with the inlet edges of the runner buckets.

31. In a turbine runner, a tapered hub and a plurality of runnerbuckets, the line of juncture of such buckets with the hub being convexon the top and concave on the bottom and the buckets being of suchcurvature that a plane at an angle from 90 degrees to 30 degrees to theradial line from the runner axis will cut a section that is convex ontop of the bucket and concave on the bottom and a section on acylindrical surface, the center of which is parallel to the runner axiswill be concave on top and convex on the bottom, such buckets beingarranged to at least partially overlap to form water cells therebetween,and gate means the longitudinal axis of which is substantially parallelto the longitudinal axis of the runner buckets, the outlet edge of saidgates being closely adjacent to and substantially parallel with theinlet edges of the runner buckets.

82. In a hydraulic turbine runner, a hub and a plurality of radiallydisposed buckets of such curvature that a section on a plane at an anglefrom 90 degrees to 30 degrees to a radial line from the runner axis willbe convex on top and concave on the bottom, a section on a cylindricalsurface described about an axis parallel to the runner axis will beconcave on top and convex on the bottom, and a section on a cylindricalsurface, the center of which is both parallel and coincident with therunner axis will be a straight line on both the top and bottom of therunner bucket, and gate means the longitudinal axis of which issubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the runner buckets,the outlet edge of said gates being closely adjacent to andsubstantially parallel with the inlet edges of the runner buckets.

33. In a hydraulic turbine, a runner having a hub and a plurality ofbuckets, said buckets being of such curvature that a section on astraight line at an angle to a radial line from the runner axis will beconvex on top and concave on the bottom and a section on a cylindricalsurface whose axis of description coincides with and is parallel to therunner axis will be a straight line on the top and bottom of the bucket,and gate means the longitudinal axis of which is substantially parallelto the longitudinal axis of the runner buckets, the outlet edge of saidgates being closely adjacent to and substantially parallel with theinlet edges of the runner buckets.

34. In a runner of a hydraulic turbine, the combination of a hub and aplurality of buckets, such buckets being of such a curva ture that asection on a cylindrical surface whose axis is parallel the runner axiswill be concave on top and convex on the bottom while a section on acylindrical surface whose axis is both coincident with and parallel tothe runner axis will be a straight line on the top and bottom, andgatemeans the longitudinal axis of which is substantially parallel with theinlet edges of the runner buckets.

35. In a hydraulic turbine, a runner having a shaft and a plurality ofbuckets, a draft tube, a foundation ring mounted thereon, an inner gatering mounted above the runner buckets, gates pivotally mounted radiallyand diagonally between the foundation ring and the inner gate ring, abearing housing supported by said inner gate ring, bearing membersengaging the runner shaft, cages for said bearing members in saidhousing, gate supporting bolts mounted in said inner gate ring andfoundation radially and down wardly whereby the bearing thrust ofmaintaining the runner shaft in vertical alignment is distributedthrough the diagonal gate bolts into the foundation ring.

36. In a hydraulic turbine, a runner having a shaft and a plurality ofbuckets, a draft tube, a foundation ring mounted thereon, an inner gatering mounted above the runner buckets, gates pivotally mounted radiallyand diagonally between the foundation and the inner gate rings, abearing housing supported by said inner gate ring, bearing membersengaging the runner shaft, cages in said housing for said bearingmembers, gate supporting bolts mounted in said inner gate ring andfoundation ring radially and downwardly whereby the bearing thrust ofmaintaining the runner shaft in vertical alignment is distributedthrough the diagonal gate bolts into the foundation ring, and rotatablymounted outer gate ring on said foundation ring adapted to move Withoutbeing disturbed by the radial thrust and crank members pivotally mountedthereon at one end and pivotally connected at theother to the gates toadjust the gate positions.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

' GEORGE A. BIGGS.

